Directional signal



March 12, 1940. w. P. MacMlCKlNG DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL Filed May 20, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwumto'v W1 LLIAHPMAONIQJKI NC;-

Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED srA'res PATENT lorries 2,193,179 DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL William P. MacMicking, St. Petersburg, Fla. Application May 20, 1938, Serial No. 208,992

3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in directional signals, especially such as may be used in connection with vehicles.

An object of my invention is to provide a signal for. vehicles which'can :be readily observed and attract attention thereby conveying notice of intent of the operator to turn in an indicated direction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a power actuated signal controllable by a vehicle operator whereby direction of turn is indicated by a continuously rotating signal, the direction of rotation indicating the proposed direction of vehicle turn.

No doubt other objects coherent with my invention will present themselves during consideration of the drawings, specification, and claims.

I attain these objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front elevation with the signal extended in operating position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3, Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings which illustrate my preferred form of construction 6 indicates the signal member proper which may be of any conventional type which will attract attention. A piston rod 1 supports said signal 6 on its outer end and is engaged at its inner end to a piston 9 within a cylinder 10. Suitably located and communicating with said cylinder are tubes II and I2 same being adapted to convey motive fluid such as air or gas to the opposite end portions of the cylinder to permit the extending or retracting of thesignal, the source of said motive fluid and provided passages for same to said tubes being hereinafter described. i

The motive fluid, air or gas, may be derived through communication with the intake manion the line 22,

fold of an engine, or from any other suitable and (Cl. INS-39) Communicating with said control valve and extending therefrom to the signaling device at their opposite ends are tubes I 5 and [6 to provide passage for the motive fluid from the control valve to the signaling device and thence through hereinafter described passages to the cylinder l0 Forming a part of said signaling device is a plate member forming an arm I! within which are longitudinal parallel passages l8 and I3, the lower ends of which are communicated with the tubes I5 and i6. Extending horizontally therefrom and on the inner face thereof is a stub shaft 20 Within which are passages 2i and 22 which respectively communicate with passages l8.

and I9, the outlet for said passages 2| and 22 being orifices 23 and 24 respectively, orifice 23 being at therear side of said shaft and orifice 24 at the outer side portion of said shaft thereby providing communication with a coupling memher while same is rotated as hereinafter described.

Rotatably mounted on said shaft 20 is a spur gear 25 upon the outer face of which is rigidly fitted the cylinder Ill. Extending through said gear 25 are orifices 26 and 21 respectively communicated with tubes II and i2.

Intercentral said arm I1 and spur gear 25 is a coupling 28 having one face thereof in impervious engagement with said gear to rotate therewith, and imperviously engaged on the opposite face of said coupling is a cap 0. Within the opposite faces of said coupling 28 are routed portions forming cylindrical passages 29 and 30, each of which has an orifice outward from the outer periphery :of said passage, thereby providing constant communication between orifices 23 and 24 and orifices 26 and 21 respectively, the prime purpose of said coupling being to assure an unobstructed passage for the motive fluid while the signal is rotating.

To provide rotating means for the spur gear 25 in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction as shown by arrows, I provide a worm gear 33 which is meshed with the teeth at the outer periphery of said spur gear, said worm gear having a shaft 34 extending to a reversible motor, or other suitable power driving means.

Extending from said arm I! is a supporting bracket 36 which is preferably attached to the depending on the function to be performed. The signal having been extended as shown in Fig. 1 it is set into rotation in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to indicate the direction of turn.

What I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a vertical arm, a shaft extending inwardly and horizontally from the upper portion of said arm, a spur gear rotatably engaging said shaft, intercentral said arm a coupling member in impervious non-rotatable engagement with said gear,

a cylinder engaged upon the outer face of said,

gear, a piston within saidcylinder, a piston rod projecting from said cylinder, a signaling member engaging the outer end ofv said piston rod, continuous passage ways through said device and tubes connecting same with the opposite end portions of said cylinder, a valve arranged to admit motive fluid to said passage ways, whereby the movement of said piston may be controlled and said signal extended or retracted, and power-driven means for rotating said gear, cylinder' and signal.

2'. A directional signal comprising a flat faced member rotatable a number of revolutions about a horizontal axis in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a signal carried by said member for revolving about said axis with said member, means within the peripherial bounds of said member and fixed against one flat face thereof for operating said signal to extend or retract the same radially of said member during its rotation and means for rotating said member to effect either clockwise or counter-clockwise directional movement thereof and the signal.

3. A directional signal comprising a flat faced member rotatable a number of revolutions about a horizontal axis in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, a signal carried; by said member for revolving about said axis with said member, means within the peripherial bounds of said member and fixed against one flat face thereof for operating said signal to extend or retract the same radially of said member during its rotation, means for rotating said member to effect either clockwise or counter-clockwise directional movement thereof and the signal, and

means for controlling the: extension. and retrac-- tion of said. signal relative to the rotary member,

P; MAQMICKING. 

